Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts with the label delirium

Delirium (Acute Confusional State): Causes, Identification, Assessment and Management

Delirium (Acute Confusional State): Causes, Identification, Assessment and Management Introduction Here is the definition of delirium from the shorter oxford textbook of psychiatry: “delirium is a global impairment (clouding) of consciousness resulting in a reduced level of alertness, attention, perception of the environment, and thence cognitive performance.” There are several terms used in this definition that can make it difficult to understand at first. It begins with a clouding of consciousness, which they say results in reduced alertness, attention, and perception, and these are cognitive or let's put it simply, mental abilities, so the overall mental abilities or cognitive performance is reduced. Now, let me quickly explain these and some other terms so you can fully comprehend this definition and the other signs and symptoms of delirium that we will be discussing. Terminology Perception Perception occurs when the brain processes the raw sensory stimuli from the environment

Informational care to calm down an agitated patient with delirium

Informational Care to Calm Down an Agitated Patient with Delirium A 46-year-old man is admitted to the medical emergency, and he is very agitated and restless, the diagnosis is delirium. The family wants urgent management. What informational care we provide to the family by you to calm them down? Sitting and introduction Rapport building and inquiries Symptoms are of medical illness and  As soon we confirm the diagnosis, we will treat him for the medical cause, and  Symptoms will settle down. Frequently reorient him He may see scorpions etc, reassure him Keep close to him Keep lighting suitable for sleep and enough visibility. Prevent harm to the patient and the family. Closes the interview